The Government has been warned that treating misogyny as a form of extremism could threaten freedom of speech. The Telegraph has the details.
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has ordered a review that will look at tackling violence against women and girls in the same way as far-Right and Islamist extremism.
Ms. Cooper said growing numbers of young people were being radicalised online by misogynistic influencers and the problem had remained unaddressed for “too long”.
However, critics have argued the Government should enforce existing legislation to tackle violence against women and girls and warn that the new policy could amount to censorship.
A senior female Conservative MP said: “There should be no place for misogyny but Labour’s latest policy announcement feels very rushed and is deeply concerning on so many levels, not least, what does it mean for free speech?
“We have to tackle misogyny. It’s endemic in some workplaces and I think lots of women have faced it. But what is misogyny to one person is not necessarily to another.”
Ann Widdecombe, Reform’s Home Affairs spokesman, said Ms. Cooper’s plan was not necessary.
“If you commit violence against women and girls, that’s already a crime,” she said. “If you preach misogyny, that’s already a crime. What exactly isn’t a crime?
“They should enforce the existing laws and stop looking to create crimes, which is what they’re doing.”
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